A75 urgent clean up calls

IMMEDIATE action is needed to clean up the litter-strewn A75. That’s the view of Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson, who says he’s sick of the Scottish Government’s ‘excuses’. He has written to Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop with a clear plan involving time-bound clean ups, faster litter-from-vehicles’ enforcement, proper targets and transparent reporting. Mr Carson said: “It is clear what is wrong here on the A75, the current split is failing: Amey maintains the trunk road for Transport Scotland, but litter clearance is left to Dumfries and Galloway Council, with no guaranteed traffic-management support or extra funding to work safely on a high-speed corridor. “Enforcement won’t improve before we see a change of Government, so there’s no short-term deterrent to stop littering along the A75. “Better co-ordination is promised – but no deadlines, no ring-fenced resource, and no traffic management support make it little more than warm words” The MSP believes the A75 needs a modern clean-up model, fit-for-purpose lay-by facilities, including toilets and bins for HGVs, proper enforcement and investment that matches the scale of the problem.

In addition, he wants targeted enforcement blitzes involving Police Scotland and Transport Scotland using camera-evidence at lay-bys, service areas and slip roads, upgraded penalties and outcomes for roadside littering, and payback hours focused on litter-picking for repeat offenders He is urging Dumfries and Galloway councillors to press COSLA for a formal change, adding: “Ministers have to act. Without that pressure, nothing shifts – and the people living by and using the A75 keep getting let down.” Meanwhile, the MSP praising the locals who already stage regular clear-ups, saying: “Their efforts are inspiring but it shouldn’t fall on them to do this.”